Construction simulation, a fast-growing field, is the science of developing and experimenting with computer-based representations of construction systems to understand their underlying behavior. This paper provides a history of construction simulation theory, explores the CYCLONE modeling methodology and its major subsequent developments, examines the development of the Simphony.NET and COSYE modeling environments and their functionality as more generic simulation platforms, and reviews effective strategies for applying simulation in construction. A construction simulation case study is presented that illustrates one successful approach for adopting simulation technology in the industry and outlines the benefits to industry of integrating these technologies. The paper provides an overview of long-term simulation initiatives leading to the next generation of computer modeling systems for construction, where simulation plays an integral role in a futuristic vision of automated project planning and control.

Modular-based heavy industrial projects, which involve a large number of lifts on congested and/or dynamic site layouts, require not only the design and selection of efficient mobile crane operations but also rapid and accurate responses to design changes in the planning stage of the project to ensure successful project completion. Current tools have not yielded strategies that support informed decisions to select the most suitable mobile crane operation (e.g., the cycle time of the crane lift) among several alternatives. This paper proposes a three-dimensional-based crane evaluation system (3D-CES) which designs, verifies, and simulates three-dimensional (3D) visualization of mobile crane operation not only to support the selection of the most efficient crane operation but also to plan the crane lift schedule during crane lift studies based on identification of safety and productivity aspects. Furthermore, these aspects are shown to help increase efficiency, timeliness, and profitability of construction management through effective collaboration and communication. As demonstrated in a case study, 3D-CES can permit users to design and select the most suitable crane operation by providing crane digital lift information, even when frequent design changes, such as those to lifting sequences, crane locations, and material pick points, are encountered.

At present, industrial projects are constructed primarily using a prefabricated approach. The modules are produced in an off-site facility and transported on transport trailers to the construction site where they are lifted by mobile cranes. One of the keys to the success of modular industrial projects is efficient crane planning, which includes path checking to find whether or not a crane has a feasible path through which to lift a module over obstructions in a congested plant. However, due to the large number of lifts, the manual path-checking practice is quite tedious and prone to error. In light of this problem, this paper proposes a methodology for automatically checking the lift paths for industrial projects. The proposed methodology simplifies and represents the three-dimensional site layout using project elevations. For each elevation, the crane feasible operation range (CFOR) is calculated based on the crane’s capacity and clearances, as well as site constraints. The pick area (PA) is cal...

Although the use of safety-related measures (SRM) has been advocated in the literature, construction companies often rely on reactive indicators instead of SRM to evaluate safety performance. A challenge with using SRM in practice arises when faced with the uniqueness of construction organizations. Distinctive practices and cultures affect the availability and quantity of data, which in turn limits the reliability of conventional SRM-based evaluation methods. This study proposes a case-based reasoning (CBR) approach that makes efficient use of existing SRM available within an organization to reliably evaluate safety performance. The model was validated using statistical tests to compare model output with actual performance. To test model applicability, we conducted a case study: based on information available in an industrial construction organization, including schedule performance and payroll data, 27 measures were identified. The results demonstrated that the proposed approach is able to evaluate safety performance trends in consideration of unique organizational characteristics using SRM. We expect that the model approach and results will support managers in tailoring safety goals and programs to particular contexts.

Determining feasible mobile crane configurations and positions on a complex industrial construction projects that are free of spatial conflicts and the subsequent scheduling of the lifts is important to the productivity and safety of a project. This paper focuses on the integration of a crane dimensional and capacity database with a project's lifted object information to select and position the cranes and then utilize expert knowledge to simulate the heavy lift plan. The system uses dimensional and coordinate data instead of CAD software for computation of crane position areas amongst known obstructions and boundary limits. The crane position area is specific to a crane model and identifies where the center of rotation of the crane can be placed without having any part of the crane body contact the known obstructions and boundary limits. This analysis is performed for multiple cranes and lifted object scenarios to develop a list of possible options. Schedule date constraints and logic are used to simulate and optimize the schedule and crane selection. This provides the practitioner with an effective planning tool to select, position and schedule cranes.

Heavy lifting in industrial construction involves the installation of prefabricated modules and equipment weighing up to 1000 tons. Placing a prefabricated module requires a specific crane with a minimum capacity and specific configurations and riggings. Site construction process should follow a certain sequence. If the required cranes are not available or the predecessor modules or structures are not built yet, the module has to be stored in a storage area. Prior to lifting a module, several supporting tasks must take place including adjusting the location, configuration, and rigging of the crane and preparing the ground beneath the crane. Therefore, planning multiple heavy lifts is a complex process. However, it has a significant impact on the cost, schedule and safety of the project. This study employs a simulation-based approach to produce a heavy lifting planning system for mobile cranes. This system assists the project manager and lift engineer in decisions regarding the selection of mobile cranes and their locations and configurations for different lifts. It also produces a schedule that reduces the total cost and enhances the schedule of the project. This system is under implementation on an industrial plant in the province of Alberta, Canada.